Death of Lyndon Baglin BEM

The death has been announced of Lyndon Baglin BEM, one of the most admired and influential euphonium players of the banding movement. He was 89.

Born into a brass banding family in Berry Hill in Gloucestershire in 1937, he enjoyed a remarkable career with many of the finest bands in the UK, although he remained a proud son of the Forest of Dean through his life-long association with Lydbrook Band.

He was made a recipient of the British Empire Medal (BEM) for Services to Brass Band Music in the Queen's 2018 Birthday Honours list.

Sought after

As a child Lyndon Baglin joined Lydbrook on cornet before moving to baritone and then euphonium with Stroud Band, aged 15. He returned to Lydbrook two years later to become a much admired and sought after solo euphonium player — a role he held until 1960.

Such was his reputation that in 1961 he was head hunted by the great CWS (Manchester) Band. Alex Mortimer had heard him play in a solo contest (although on tuba) but later, after helping the band at a concert on euphonium, was asked to join full time.

He remained until 1963, calling Mortimer "a great motivator", although "a bit of a martinet". He added: "You had to be on the edge of your chair", but admitted that it "helped his approach"- one that saw him become the 1961 Champion Soloist of Great Britain performing 'Weber's Last Waltz'. He was runner-up on two more occasions (1966 & 1974), and was also a member of the CWS (Manchester) Band that won the 1961 Quartet Championship of Great Britain.

One of the greatest

Brian Evans, his former CWS colleague later called him "one of the greatest euphonium players that ever lived." When they won the 1962 National Championship on 'Force of Destiny' with his playing a key component to its success, rivals said it was a performance, "that won as soon as they finished playing." The band repeated their success the following year.

Although he enjoyed playing with the band, his professional ambition saw him become an HM Inspector of Factories. He left CWS (Manchester) and returned to Bristol, enabling him to play with Lydbrook and Cinderford Bands before he relocated to Bradford.

A player of immense technical prowess and artistic maturity, he first played with Black Dyke (on baritone at the 1966 British Open and EEb tuba at the National Final), before moving to Brighouse & Rastrick the following year.

Hargreaves

There he made his first connection with conductor Walter Hargreaves, helping them to considerable success (including two World Championship titles and to become BBC Band of the Year) — and all, he later said, "for the princely sum of £20 retainer per year".

It was to be a hugely influential association. "I always knew what he wanted," he said. "I liked his approach to music."

Hargreaves reciprocated by saying the same of him.

Stanshawe

They later combined in the early 1970s to become the integral elements of the emergence of the Stanshawe Band (later Sun Life) from Bristol as a leading elite level Championship Section contender, and at Fairey Engineering in memorably winning the British Open in 1979 on 'Carnival Romain'.

He was awarded the Insignia of Honour at the Royal Albert Hall in 1970 and was 'Euphonium Player of the Year' in 1984, although he admitted, that to him, "it was much more important" to be a band player than soloist.

"I was always proud to be part of a band", he said, although he admitted he would be "devastated" if he couldn't play solos.

Solo recordings

Thankfully his solo playing was recorded — from showpieces such as 'La Belle Americaine' in 1961 with CWS (Manchester) to 'Grandfather's Clock' with Stanshawe in 1976, 'Jenny Jones' with Brighouse & Rastrick in 1986 to 'Rule Britannia' with Cory in 1989 when he played with the Welsh band.

His pioneering 'Showcase for Euphonium' LP release in 1975 saw him perform in recital mode alongside piano, harp and flute accompaniment, whilst 'Foursome for Brass', alongside Derek Garside, William Thomas and Hayden Harris was released in 1974.

He later enjoyed a memorable return to Sun Life, when under Roy Newsome his playing on 'Le Roi d'Ys' saw them claim the 1990 British Open title. The first edition of Brass Band World magazine was launched with him on its front cover in his Stanshawe uniform.

He also performed with 'Kings of Brass' and well into his 80's he still practiced for at least half an hour a day.

he said that the enjoyment of playing a brass instrument, "was not the sound you hear... it's the feeling you get from holding it, from breathing into it, making it come alive."4BR

Insight and experience

In 1979 he became Musical Director of Lydbrook and in the next eight years helped inspire their rise from Third to Championship Section.

He also took the baton with a number of other bands, all of whom benefited from his insight and experience as well as being an inspirational teacher and tutor with the likes of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland.

Come alive

In an interview with 4BR he said that the enjoyment of playing a brass instrument, "was not the sound you hear... it's the feeling you get from holding it, from breathing into it, making it come alive."

Over his long playing career, it was those who did hear him play who were fortunate to hear a consummate musician — his rich, wonderfully focussed sound a signature to performances of immense musicality and technical certainty.

He leaves a loving, extended family. 4BR understands that funeral details will be announced by the family in due course.